Boal City Brewing

Boal City Brewing is a craft brewery and taproom located in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, situated at the base of Rothrock State Forest in Centre County. The operation combines on-site brewing with a full taproom experience, beer garden, and rotating food truck program, positioning itself as a destination venue for both craft beer enthusiasts and outdoor recreation seekers in Central Pennsylvania.

The brewery is led by Head Brewer Mike Smith, who brings nearly two decades of professional brewing experience to the operation. Smith trained through the Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering program at the American Brewers Guild and built his early career at Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, one of the most recognized names in American craft brewing. He later served as a lead brewer at Ithaca Beer Company in New York, where he contributed to award-winning production, before returning to State College to head brewing operations at The Gamble Mill. His background also includes a tenure as Head Distiller at Barrel 21 Distillery, where two of his whiskeys earned gold and bronze recognition from the American Craft Spirits Association. His experience spans brewing systems ranging from 3 to 100 barrels.

Boal City Brewing's current tap lineup reflects a broad range of traditional and contemporary styles, including a West Coast IPA, Hazy IPA, Bohemian Pilsner, Kölsch, Hefeweizen, Sour Ale, Imperial Stout, American Brown Ale, and a seasonal Maibock. The brewery emphasizes freshness, with most beers served on draft directly from the source. Canned-to-go options are also available for several core offerings, providing retail-style access within the taproom.

The taproom features an outdoor beer garden with trail access, live music programming, and weekly events including a Tuesday trail run club and a walking club. A Friday Kölsch service format offers a unique tableside pour experience. Rotating food truck partnerships further extend the on-site hospitality offering.

The company has received multiple accolades from State College Magazine, including Gold awards for Best New Business (2023), Best Local Craft Beer (2024), and Best Brewpub (2024). Several of its beers have earned top rankings within the Untappd community platform, including its Flanders Brown, English Brown, and Belgian Blonde varieties. Boal City Brewing is also a participating venue on the Central PA Tasting Trail Passport program, a regional initiative connecting local breweries, distilleries, cideries, and wineries.